Nov 24, Colombo: Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera says the Committee on Cost of Living has decided to impose a price control on several essential food items.

The decision has been made after considering the rising cost of living and it will be presented to the cabinet soon.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera addressing a press conference organized by the SLFP said the country faced a severe drought disrupting three consecutive cultivating seasons.

"Without considering this harsh reality some opposition members question why the government was importing rice, while the President is representing the paddy cultivating Rajarata area. Due to the drought the paddy cultivation in Sri Lanka was cut off by 50 percent. At the same time there is a market trend to sell coconuts for very high price considering the fact that the coconuts cannot be imported from another country," Minister Amaraweera said.

According to the Minister, the government has ample stocks to issue kekulu rice for Rs. 65 a kilo, Nadu rice Rs. 74 rupees a kilo and Samba rice for Rs. 78 the Minister said and the CWE Sathosa will continue to sell rice at concessionary prices.

Several decisions will be made in the next cabinet meeting on the prices of the food items, the Minister added.